Konnichiwa, minna! I know, I know, I haven't updated in AGES... I'm so sorry!!! I had a lot of work and other stuff to do and I just haven't found the time...But I finally found a free moment and have posted my new chapter!! Yay!! And te other thing I've noticed is that each chapter is getting shorter and shorter... I feel really bad about that, but I have specific places where I want each chapter to begin and end and frankly there isn't much more I can do about the length. After all, it's quality, not quantity, ne? I'll definitely try to update faster... Part of it was also that I wanted to wait on that awful cliffhanger for a little longer...I'm so evil, aren't I? OK, just a heads up for you all: By say, November-December-ish, updates should hopefully be coming faster because at the moment, all my free time is dedicated to high school applications and things like that. By this time, my applications will be all done, so that should free up some time. Cross your fingers!!!
Alright: as for the contest. Only one person managed to get the right answer!!! Go orli-enthusiast!!!! -hands orli-enthusiast a chocolate chip cookie YUM!-
Ok, this is a terribly long author's note, so I'll shut up now.
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Inuyasha. I'm getting a bit tired of saying this...
Claimer: Yes, I own the priestess and Kyoko.
Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to two people: Time's mortal enemy for the absolutely lovely review, and orli-enthusiast for guessing the correct person!!!
----------Last Time On "The Depth of Her Love"-----------
#Inuyasha loves Kikyou. I won't waste my heart on him any longer. But the thought of losing him...I can hardly bear it... And yet, I almost feel ready to give up my family for him. I'm ready to give up everything for him...And I'm the only one won who'd be affected. Losing Inuyasha is almost worse than losing my family. Inuyasha... Do you see Kikyou or me when you look my way? I love you, Inuyasha... I can't bear to lose you. I have to be strong.# Kagome turned back to Naraku. There were tears in her eyes. "I choose..." she began half-heartedly. Everyone held their breath.
-----------Chapter Six----------
"...Hojo," she choked through her tears. As they ran down her cheeks, her body glowed even brighter. It changed, her claws, fangs, tails disappearing, and human ears replacing her human ones. Kagome was once again human. She collapsed to her knees, sobbing, as the glow subsided.
Inuyasha couldn't believe his ears. #I should have guessed she would choose Hobo. Why is she crying, though?#
Sango turned her eyes away from her friend's sobbing form to scowl at Inuyasha. #If he had admitted his love sooner, this wouldn't have happened. I hate you, Inuyasha.# It was uncharacteristic for Sango to hate, but hate she did. #I hate Naraku, too. Damn them both.#
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Inuyasha refused to speak to or go near Kagome, so Miroku was asked to pick Kagome up and carry her back to Kaede's hut. It was a long walk, and after a while, he was forced to place her gently on Kirara's back. It was eventually decided that they should increase their speed, and so in order to complete the two day walk in the next ten hours, everyone except Inuyasha, Kyoko, and Shippou climbed on Kirara's back. Kyoko held her son, and the three demons raced back to Kaede's village in silence.
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By dawn, they had reached the outskirts and soon they all piled into the ancient priestess's hut, exhausted. Kagome's body was racked with silent, dry sobs, and Inuyasha refused to talk, so Sango and Miroku were forced to relay the tale to Kaede. As they finished, Kaede nodded gravely, gazing pitifully at the schoolgirl. She was able to figure everything Sango had obviously not mentioned and it pained the old woman to see her friend like this.
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A few days past, and finally Kaede approached Kagome one morning. "Ye have been through a great ordeal, child, and I think it would do ye good to return to ye own time for a while. Do ye all agree?" With the exception of Inuyasha, who said nothing, everyone voiced their agreement.
Kagome sniffed and nodded. "Alright. That's a good idea. I'll go home for a few days and take a break. I'll see you guys soon." She waved and picked up her backpack and left, leaving them a last fake smile. She walked in silence down to the well and slipped in. A few moments, some pink lights, and 500 years later, Kagome landed in the dry well of her family shrine. She climbed out and walked straight to her room. Her mother saw her face and said nothing, sensing something was wrong. Almost an hour later, she walked up to her daughter's room to find her lying miserably stomach-down on the bed.
"Kagome?"
"Yeah?" Her daughter didn't move when she answered.
She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, stroking her daughter's hair. "What's wrong?"
And with that, Kagome burst into tears. "Mom! There was a curse and I had to choose, and I think I chose wrong, but I don't know, and if I chose right, then why am I so upset?"
"Hold on dear, explain what happened." Kagome relayed the situation and her mother listened patiently. When she finished, she said, "Your heart isn't Hojo's yet, is it? So I think you should find Inuyasha, tell him why you chose Hojo, and admit you love him. You'll feel a lot better."
"If he ever decides to look at me again."
"I'm sure he will. I have faith in you. He may just need a bit of time."
Kagome nodded sadly, "Thanks, mom. I'm going to stay a few days first."
Her mother nodded, "Good idea. I think it'll do you good. You don't have to go back to school tomorrow, either."
Kagome smiled, surprised, "Thanks, mom. Maybe I will, though. It'll take my mind off what happened."
Kagome slept well that night, considering what happened, and decided to go to school the next day.
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"Bye, Mom!" Kagome called as she ran out the door.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled at her retreating form. "Bye, Kagome! Have a good day!"
She ran to the train station and just about made it, Souta following behind. They sat down in a pair of seats that a couple had just left and Kagome sighed. "Oneesan?" Souta piped up. She looked at him. "Why were you crying last night?"
Kagome looked away, "It was nothing. Something happened in the feudal era."
"It was Inuyasha, wasn't it?" Souta quietly stated more than asked.
Kagome turned her startled eyes on him, "What makes you think that?"
"He's the only one who can make you cry. And besides, I heard a bit of what you were saying. All I really heard was 'Inuyasha' and 'curse'."
Kagome sighed, "Doesn't mean he made me cry."
"I know it was," he insisted, "What did he do?"
She shook her head. "He didn't do anything. It was my fault." At that moment, they arrived at their stop and Kagome rushed out the door before Souta could say anymore.
She hurried to her first class to find she was a couple minutes early. She leaned against the wall and breathed a sigh of relief. Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi came rushing over when they spotted her. "Kagome!" they cried all at once.
She looked up, "Hey Yuka! Hey Eri! Hey Ayumi!"
"How's your measles?" Eri asked.
"Yeah? And your spinal bruising?" Yuka added.
"Have you studied for the geometry test yet?" Ayumi asked out of the blue.
Kagome's head shot up. "No! Not at all! I forgot we had one! Oh no!" she moaned.
"You'll be fine, I'm sure," Ayumi reassured her, patting her elbow.
Eri had short black hair, a little past her ears, that puffed out a bit and big brown eyes that shone constantly. She was always bright and perky, smiling and giggling, as she was doing now. She was thin with developing curves.
Yuka had a similar body shape to that of Eri's. Her hair, also black, was straight and barely touched her shoulders. A bit stuck out on the left side, keeping it from looking too perfect. A yellow headband, ever-present, gave a final touch. Her eyes were also brown.
Ayumi was probably the most different of the three. She had very wavy black hair that fell down a couple inches below her shoulders. Her brown eyes were fairly big in comparison to the rest of her face. She looked the most like a young girl out of the three. She was slightly ditzy, but always cheerful. Her grades were also high above those of her three friends. Kagome's used to be on par with hers, but they fell sharply when she began her adventures in the Sengoku Jidai.
The classroom door opened and the class filed in for the first class of the day: English. They all sat down and the teacher glanced at her seat, smirking. "How nice of you to join us today, Kagome."
Some people snickered, but Kagome just smiled, "I'm glad to be back, sir."
The class finished with Kagome yawning and they all walked out to their next class: Geometry. The closer she got to the door, the more she wanted to bolt. Finally, she reached it and opened it, walking through, and sitting down. The teacher handed out the geometry tests, acknowledging Kagome with only a curt nod, and they began. The test was difficult and Kagome didn't know most of the answers. Finally, the test finished and Kagome shuffled out the door with her three friends. They walked down the hall to the gym for P.E.
"I just passed..." Yuka sighed.
"Me too...if I hadn't studied, I would've failed..." Eri agreed.
They turned to Kagome who blushed and groaned, "I passed by a few points." They all sighed in relief.
Ayumi piped up cheerfully, "I got an A!" They sighed even deeper. Ayumi looked from one to the other to the other, trying to figure out what she had said wrong.
They reached the gym and the teacher, who told them to remain in regular uniform. "We're going to take it really easy today. I'll pair you up, boy-girl," he said, smiling. They all smiled back, grateful for the break. "Alright, Kogoro, you go with Ran. Kisa, you go with Keisuke..." Finally, he reached the foursome. "Yuka, you go with Shinichi. Eri, why don't you be with Akeno. Ayumi, I'll pair you with Haru. And lastly, Kagome, you go with Hojo." He stopped short for a moment, her heart beating wildly. #Hojo...# Tears began to gather at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away. "Miss Higurashi? Are you going to stand there all day?"
Kagome blinked again and blushed as she found the whole class's eyes on her. "G-Gomen, sir." She hurried over to Hojo and smiled briefly at him. He smiled back. They picked up a ball and began to throw it back and forth. It was a simple, mindless game that allowed their minds to wander. Hers obviously wandered to Inuyasha. #I wonder what he's doing now...Does he think about me? Or does he think about Kikyou?# She felt so bitter about the last thought that she was completely distracted from the task at hand. The ball whacked her in the chest. She caught it in reflex, but Hojo immediately hurried over to see if she was all right.
"Kagome! Are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to throw it that hard!" She reached her and placed a hand on her arm. She welcomed it for some reason.
"Hojo...Why are you so worried?"
He looked slightly startled by the question. "Because...You're my friend."
"A friend?" Her voice implied what she did not say.
"I...I care about you, Kagome. Kagome?" It was his turn to be startled as he spotted tears in her eyes.
"Hojo..." she whispered gratefully, "Thank you for caring." Then she stepped back, turned around, and ran as fast as she could, out the door, and to the train station. She hurled herself through the doors just as they closed and leaned against on of the poles, panting. She drew curious stared from the other passengers, but did not care. Finally, she reached her stop, ran out the doors, and up the steps of her shrine. She flung the door open, ran up to her room, surprising her mother and grandfather, and flung herself on her bed, sobbing her heart out. The tears came and came and just wouldn't stop. #Hojo...He cares about me. Why can't Inuyasha care about me? Even as a friend?#
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Her mother came upstairs once her sobs had pretty much subsided and rubbed her back comfortingly. "Why don't you stay home for a bit?"
Kagome looked up at her mother and smiled gratefully, "Thanks, mom."
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Kagome spent the next few days relaxing. She slept, ate, and watched TV. Her mother made sure no one questioned her actions, and for this Kagome was thankful. Two days past and she finally built up the courage to confront Inuyasha. She picked up her backpack and walked downstairs. "Mom, I'm leaving."
Her mother smiled at her encouragingly and kissed her daughter's forehead. "I have faith in you, Kagome. Follow your heart."
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Alright, not much to say. I said it all in the beginning author's note... -blushes- Gomen, gomen.
TaintedInuShemeeko – Yay! I always love hearing your reviews!!!! I'm glad you could picture everything! That tells me I did a good job!! You're the best!!
f-zelda - Hehe yea, Hojo IS nice, ne? But I'm still an InuKag fan hehe. (Guess that didn't show in this chapter though, huh?) Thanks for the review!!
Sarcasm Girl8 – Two reviews? I'm flattered! Thanks!! Well, I didn't update soon...But I hope you liked the chapter anyway.
PisxiePam - Aww thanks!! -giggles- I'm glad you luv my story!! I know, I didn't update quickly, but I tried my best. I'm so so so sorry! -bows- Please forgive this humble authoress!! Thanks for the review!!
Molly – I'm glad you like it! I hope it's doing ok. If you find anything wrong with it, don't hesitate to tell me!! Hope you liked chapter 6! Thanks for the review!!
Alpha the Inuyasha Guru – Hehe Thanks for the review!! I love the way you talk (or type, w/e) It's awesome!!
Orli-enthusiast – Thanks!! -feels all warm and fuzzy inside- It's ok if you didn't review, but it's wonderful that you did now! I really appreciate it!!! Thanks, I'm glad you like it! But we've only seen half the curse so far!! Hehe I know, I wanted her to pick Inuyasha too, but she didn't. You get a cookie too, though, cuz you had the right idea when you said Kouga!! Thanks for the review!!
LadySword04 – Thanks for the review!!! Haha I was waiting for yours! It's ok, I know I took ages to review your new chapter... -sigh- School is SUCH a pain sometimes... It would be too cliché if she chose Inuyasha...haha Thanks! I actually had it written differently but then it didn't fit with a part later on in the story, so I changed it so she'd 'cooperate' in a different way. I'm glad it worked out. And it's complicated now, but other stuff's gonna happen with it later on hehe
Mol – Thanks for the review!! I hope I'm doing a good job...
Kay-san1(ShinomoriMiyu – Hehe I'm evil, aren't I? Aww you're so sweet! I'm glad you like it!! And, no...I don't THINK I'm Rumiko-sama...haha wish I was though lol
Kenuyasha – That's good to hear! I'm glad you're feeling better! That's ok, I'm happy that you read the first chapter!! Haha Aww thanks, I doubt it's that good...but thanks for the chocolate-covered peanuts! My favorite!!! YUM!! Lol Thanks so much for reviewing!!
mol – I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!!
Shaine Raizel – Hehe Thanks for reviewing!! Nope, it wasn't Inuyasha, but we all wish it was, right?
Devour Thy Flame – WOW!! 5 reviews?? I'm blown away!! Thank you so much!!!! I'm lad you like it!! The only sad thingis, yes I love long chapters too, but my chapters keep getting shorter...lol It's weird... Yes, Sango are Miroku are soo cute!! And thanks so much for the compliment!! It means so much to me that you think I'm improving! That's the highest compliment I could receive!! I wish it was Inuyasha...oh well; it's an InuKag story, which at least tells us the end will be happy lol
Time's mortal enemy – WOW!! Just like with Devour Thy Flame, I'm blown away! That was a fantastic review! Thank you soo much!! It's ok; don't worry about missing chapters. Thanks so much for the help! I will definitely keep your advice in mind when I'm writing from now on! As for jumping around: 1. I looked back and realized you have a point and I'm trying not to jump around as much...I hope I've at least fixed that problem a little. 2. In the beginning, I had a lot I needed to put out there in order to start off the story, but it's all said and done now, so hopefully I can get it to flow better... Thanks so much for the help with the italics, too! I hope it worked!